Above: The Crescent Hotel & Spa offers excellent views from the observation deck. Below: The Basin Park Hotel, opened in 1905, offers paranormal tours.
This route includes beautiful streams, rustic homesteads, and places to pull over and stretch your legs, including scenic waterfalls and lookout areas.
The Arkansas Dragon( State Route 123) is another popular route. The 19-mile stretch known as the Dragon’ s Tail is comparable to Tennessee’ s Tail of the Dragon, offering blind switchbacks and demanding sharp attention to keep the tires on the pavement. The full route starts in Osage, about 30 miles southeast of Eureka Springs, and continues south for about 60 miles to State Route 16.
What makes this area special for motorcyclists is that the roads in between these famous designations are also rewarding and enjoyable. There’ s no need for interstate slogs to get to the twisties – just pick a direction and enjoy curve after curve. After a long day of riding through Ozark paradise, enjoy a soak in the cool waters of Eureka Springs. The springs’ health claims may not have been based in concrete science, but we can’ t deny we feel a little more alive after a good soak, a hearty meal, and a stroll through one of the most unique towns in the U. S.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Weather in the Ozark Mountains can be dramatic, including sudden thunderstorms and flooding. Generally, popular routes through the Ozark National Forest and connecting towns are well-maintained, but conditions can change with weather. As some roads cross rivers and streams, flooding is a concern during heavy or sudden rain events. Check road conditions before heading out to ensure your route is open and safe.
WHEN TO TRAVEL
A trip to Eureka Springs is possible almost any time of year thanks to both mild winters and summers, with temperatures only occasionally dipping below freezing or rising above the low 90s. For the best experience, we recommend a fall trip for vibrant orange forests, cool riding, and fall decorations in town. If you plan a trip near one of Eureka Springs’ many annual celebrations, you’ ll encounter more traffic but an unforgettable experience. Whether you want to enjoy the festivities or avoid the crowds, check the town’ s calendar before booking your stay.
ROAD FOOD
Eureka Springs offers a wide variety of eateries to suit any taste or budget. Coffee houses and cafes are plentiful, and visitors can choose from upscale curated menus to pub food. Those looking for international flavors can find Thai, Mexican, Italian, French, Indian, and more. Eureka Springs also offers places to stop after dinner for an ice cream, candy, or confections. Out on the road, riders can expect local restaurants offering home cooking, burgers, sandwiches, and other hearty meals to fuel more riding.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodations in Eureka Springs are just as unique as the town itself.
Book a stay at the Eureka Springs Treehouses and choose from a treehouse, a hobbit hole, a castle, or a cave. Those who enjoy the paranormal should check out the Crescent Hotel & Spa( reportedly the most haunted hotel in the U. S.) or the Basin Park Hotel. Visitors can also find cabins, bed-andbreakfasts, inns, and other lodging in Eureka Springs. As a tourist destination, accommodations are plentiful.
POINTS OF INTEREST
• Christ of the Ozarks
• Thorncrown Chapel
• Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
• Quigley’ s Castle
• Grotto Spring
• Basin Spring Park
• Ozark National Forest
• Alum Cove Natural Bridge
RIDERMAGAZINE. COM / OCTOBER 2026 / 51